GM sponsors Aug. 19 event in Spring Hill

SPRING HILL — The 10th annual Pay It Forward Festival, will once again receive backing from General Motors-UAW 1853 as this year’s title sponsor.

The free event, which is one of the city’s largest, encourages Spring Hill citizens to “live forward, give forward and pay it forward,” by strengthening bonds between the community and its local businesses. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 on the grounds behind the Tennessee Children’s Home located at 804 Branann Hughes Circle.

Haziel Nieves, owner of SpringHillFresh.com and festival founder, said the event has grown tremendously over the years, not just with the number of attendees, but in ways the community has pitched in to give back. She is especially grateful that General Motors, the area’s largest private employer, has once again decided to come on board as the title sponsor.

The festival is run solely on volunteers and donations, and having a company like General Motors as title sponsor helps the event and its message continue to grow, Nieves said in a press release.

“Having General Motors UAW 1853 as our title sponsor once again this year has been wonderful because they are genuinely vested in our community in many ways; supporting our schools, charities and local causes benefiting our entire region, not just Spring Hill,” Nieves said. “They truly embrace paying it forward firsthand.”

Last year’s festival saw nearly 14,000 people in attendance, despite the event taking place on one of the hottest days of the year. Nieves said organizers decided to plan this year’s festival later in the summer in hopes of cooler weather, but still warm enough to enjoy the event’s water-sport activities.

“This year’s event is a bit later in the summer and we have planned fantastic water fun to keep everyone cool and happy,” Nieves wrote in a press release. “One of the water activities will be a giant slip and slide on a hillside.”

There is a $1 fee for unlimited sliding, which will go toward proceeds for local charity recipients.

Attendees can also beat the heat and promote healthy lifestyles by kid fishing, football, bubble ball soccer and obstacle courses. There will also be health screenings, information on sports clinics and lots of live music, which includes a youth Battle of the Bands contest.

This year’s music will be provided by Roux Du Bayou Cajun Band, The Bent Reed Band, Hurricane Will & Storm Damage Band, Tim Turner Band and StevieRock Band. Bands wishing to compete in the Battle of the Bands can sign up at the festival’s website, www.springhillpayitforwardfestival.com.

In addition to General Motors, many local businesses and Williamson and Maury County officials have pitched in with donations and sponsorships to make this year’s festival the biggest one yet. Stations for various groups will be set up throughout the festival grounds, with information about civic groups, independent businesses and representatives from the health, wellness and fitness community. There will also be opportunities to sign up for sports leagues, citizen volunteer and local school groups.

For more information, including a list of vendors, sponsorship opportunities and a schedule of events throughout the day, visit the event’s website or contact Nieves at shpayitforwardfestival@gmail.com or (931) 451-7926.

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